04_Biblica_1_A_Ossandon_Layout 1 05/11/12 12:18 Pagina 384 384 JUAN CARLOS OSSANDÓN The disciples have left everything to follow Jesus (10,28), but they still have to correct their ambitions and accept the way of the cross. They are not hopeless. Their situation is similar to that of the blind man of Bethsaida at the middle point of his healing, when he could see men who looked like trees. If they let Jesus heal them, they will see everything clearly 20. Bartimaeus appears as a model of following Jesus because of his faith. In contrast to Peter, who had confessed Jesus as the Messiah, but had refused the cross, Bartimaeus joins a messianic confession (Son of David) with the acceptance of his master’s way. And conse- quently he does not receive any rebuke from Jesus. In contrast to the rich man, who does not want to leave his wealth notwithstanding the explicit call to follow Jesus, Bartimaeus abandons the little he has and follows him, although he has not been called. In contrast to James and John, who ask for honor and receive the invitation to share Jesus’ destiny, Bartimaeus asks to see and he obtains it, just to immediately follow Jesus in the way which leads to the passion and death. Besides concluding the section on the way, the Bartimaeus episode prepares Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem. The exit from Jericho, Barti- maeus’ cries, the title of Son of David, and the mention of his mantle link Mark 10,46-52 with 11,1-11 21. But it is above all Bartimaeus himself, who connects the section about discipleship with what follows 22. His messianic cries outside Jericho mark a transition between the education of the disciples on the way and the public manifestation of Jesus in Jerusalem. Roma 2004); G. BONIFACIO, Personaggi minori e discepoli in Marco 4–8: la funzione degli episodi dei personaggi minori nell’interpretazione con la sto- ria dei protagonisti (AnBib 173; Roma 2008) 219-249. 20 On the function of the Bartimaeus narrative within the section on the way, especially with respect to the other episodes of Mark 10, cf. DUPONT, “L’aveugle”, 354-355. For a comparison with Mark 8,22-26, see M.N. KELLER, “Opening Blind Eyes: A Revisioning of Mark 8:22-10:52”, BTB 31 (2001) 151-167; SALVATORE, E vedeva, 261-265. 21 Cf. DUPONT, “L’aveugle”, 351. 22 Cf. BEST, Following Jesus, 134.